LEESWOOD AND PONTBLYDDYN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

CYNGOR CYMUNED COEDLLAI A PONTBLYDDYN

THE MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING OF THE LEESWOOD AND PONTBLYDDYN COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE ON THURSDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2016.

PRESENT

Councillor G. Sherwood, Chairman of the Council (in the Chair) Councillors D.K. Crowther, R. Hughes, T. Hughes, D. Rule and J.E. Saul.

Also in attendance Marie Reynolds – Clerk to the Council.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

These were received from Councillors J. Atkinson, J. Caruana, Terry Hughes, C.E. Jones JP, K. McCallum JP, J. Phoenix and R. Williams.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST – MEMBERS CODE OF CONDUCT

There were no declarations of interest.

154. FLINTSHIRE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Councillors had been circulated with documentation relating to the latest public consultation in regard to the Flintshire Local Development Plan.

The Chairman, Councillor G. Sherwood explained that the latest consultation exercise with the setting up of the Flintshire Local Development Plan related to what extent did Flintshire plan to grow over the next fifteen years and where should this be? This was not a consultation that involved community’s needs as individuals but an overall strategic development looking at the county as a whole. Such consultation at this level had not previously been undertaken.

Six different housing options for Flintshire up to the year 2030 had been put forward: - a) Option 1 – 3,750 new homes. This number reflects the Welsh Government household projections using 2011 Census information and expectations about the movement of people over ten years. Approximately 250 homes built per annum. b) Option 2 – 4,800 new homes. Again, using the 2011 Census information and expectations, this number is based on the movement of people over a longer period of fifteen years. Approximately 320 homes built per annum. c) Option 3 – 8,250 new homes. The number reflects the Welsh Government household projections using the 2014 population forecasts and expectations about the movement of people over fifteen years but using the earlier 2008 based household formation rates (i.e. before the recession). Approximately 550 homes built per annum. d) Option 4 – 6,600 new homes. As option 3 but based on the highest expectations of the movement of people over ten years and using the 2011 household formation rates (i.e. after the recession). Approximately 440 homes built per annum. e) Option 5 – 10,350 new homes. Using the 2014 population forecasts and the 2008 household formation rates this number is based on the highest expectations about the

38 movement of people over fifteen years, (maximum number). Approximately 690 new homes per annum. f) Option 6 – 6,350 to 7,350 new homes. This forecast is based on the amount of new homes required if Flintshire was to plan for 8,000 to 10,000 new jobs up to 2030. Approximately 440 to 490 homes built per annum.

Following a survey settlements in Flintshire are defined as: - i) Main Service Centres ii) Local Service Centres iii) Sustainable Village – Leeswood is included in this. iv) Defined Village v) Undefined Village – Pontblyddyn is included in this.

Five spatial options for the location of the new homes in Flintshire to 2030 had been put forward: - a) Spatial Option 1 – Proportional distribution for towns and villages based on the settlement hierarchy. This directs new homes proportionally across towns and villages depending upon where a settlement sits in the hierarchy. b) Spatial Option 2 – Towns and larger villages only. Directs new homes specifically to Main Service Centres and Local Service Centres. c) Spatial Option 3 – Towns and villages in the growth area. New homes are directed at the Welsh Government identified growth area in North East Flintshire. d) Spatial Option 4 – Settlements along transport routes. Homes would be built in settlements along the main transport corridors. e) Spatial Option 5 – Sustainable and flexible distribution. This directs new homes to towns and villages within the settlement hierarchy based on sustainable considerations, before careful consideration of smaller rural villages.

Concern was expressed that there could be a de-population and it could be argued that all this would do is provide land banks. It was commented that new jobs would be provided in Flintshire through the development of the Deeside Enterprise Zone and Warren Hall Business Park. Observation made that through this consultation the Community Council has the opportunity to say if growth comes then this is the format we would like it to take. However, it was argued that the Community Council has no say in planning applications at all, they are asked for observations only. Further point was made that the Development Plan can include sites for a certain amount of homes to be built over the next fifteen years, but it does not mean that these dwellings have to be built. If Leeswood and Pontblyddyn are not included in the options for building, then the community could stagnate.

Finally, it was agreed that the Community Council would support Option 4 – 6,600 - with regard to the number of new homes to build in Flintshire up to 2030 and Spatial Option 5 which encouraged building based on the sustainability of the settlement.

155. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Application number – 056118 Application for a lawful development certificate (existing) for the erection of a dwelling. The Cabin, Tyddyn Glo Farm, Dingle Road, Leeswood, Mold, CH7 4SN.

39 This dwelling had been erected in 2011. No planning application had been submitted for this and the landowner had previously had permission for the siting of a caravan. It was pointed out that this had been reported to the Planning Department of Flintshire County Council in 2011. However, the Enforcement Officer had failed to act on this information. A letter was to be sent to Mr A. Farrow of the Planning Department expressing how deeply disappointed this Council was at the lack of action taken when they had first been made aware of this dwelling. All Councillors in agreement.

156. ACQUISITION OF LAND – CEMETERY REQUIREMENTS

The Clerk reported that she had spoken with the Solicitor acting for Mr George Owens of Bank Farm, Pontblyddyn who advised that draft documentation was being forwarded to Mrs S. Jones of the Legal Department, Flintshire County Council. Hopefully the purchase of the land to extend the Cemetery would now proceed.

157. PARKING ON BELL’S CORNER

Correspondence had been received from Mark Middleton, Operations Manager South & Structures of Streetscene & Transportation, Flintshire County Council. In his letter, Mr Middleton advised that the inappropriate parking described on Bell’s Corner was a possible offence that the North Wales Police would enforce. The County Council enforce traffic regulation orders and these are evident by such things as double yellow lines. A Streetscene co-ordinator would be in contact regarding a meeting on site to confirm this. If additional parking restriction measures require consideration, then this Council’s concerns would be passed on to a technical officer who would investigate and evaluate any new traffic regulation orders.

The Clerk advised that a letter had been circulated in the area of Eaton Place/Queen Street informing residents of the Remembrance Services that would be held at the Cenotaph on 11th & 13th November, requesting that the pavement area on Bell’s Corner be kept clear of vehicles. A resident of Eaton Place had contacted her on Saturday 12th November explaining that there were issues with the parking, stating that it was difficult to park near to his home. As they were a family with a new baby it was important to them that they were able to park as close as possible to their property.

Comment was raised that there are problems with parking in other areas of the community such as the junction of King Street/Bryn Clyd; Parc Derwen and Stryt Cae Rhedyn/Dingle Road.

158. STREET NAMES ON NEW DEVELOPMENT AT GARAGE SITES

Nadine Hughes, Technical Assistant at Flintshire County Council had e-mailed advising that new street names had been chosen for the developments on the old garage sites at Maes-y- Meillion and Heol-y-Goron. The development at Maes-y-Meillion is to be named Llys Eurwen/Lime Court & Llys Pinwydd/Pine Court and the development at Heol-y-Goron is to be named Llys Llwyfen/Elm Court.

It was observed that these names were not in keeping with the avenues in the area. The streets named after trees were in a different part of the village. Dismay was expressed that the Community Council had not been given an opportunity to discuss the naming of these

40 new developments. Councillor R. Hughes advised that he would contact the officer at Flintshire County Council regarding this.

159. ONE VOICE WALES MEETING – 29th NOVEMBER 2016

The Chairman, Councillor G. Sherwood advised that the next meeting of the Wrexham/Flint area Committee would take place on Tuesday 29th November 2016 at the Gwersyllt Resource Centre. Councillor R. Hughes informed that he would be unable to attend and it was agreed that the Clerk should go in his place.

There being no other business the meeting was declared closed at 8.15pm.

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